Report from the Grand Council: July 2005

A. COMMITTEE/MEMBER ACTIVITY

1)BOD Meeting:
Chair: Haraldr Bassi was confirmed at the April BOD meeting in 
Ottawa,CA where he entered the GC April 2005 Report. Members TSivia bas 
Tamara v'Amberview and Aleksandr Vasilevych Lev of Volynia were also in 
attendance.


2)Survey Analysis
The Board concluded a survey on a variety of  membership related and 
demographic issues. The GC was asked to study the SCA Survey and 
Results and make recommendations/observations. A request for the raw 
data was made to the GC Ombudsman for greater understanding of the 
results. The data available was graphed and studied. Some observations 
by its various members and the graphs follow at the end of the report 
as appendix.

The GC was given little guidance on what sort of analysis the Board 
expected, and could explore specific areas further if desired. The 
number of respondents was high in relation to previous Society pollings 
and many opinion polls, but it is always important to remember the 
potential for selection bias in a self-selected response poll of this
type.

The question of preferred funding mechanism could profit from follow up 
questions in later polls. While the poll indicated a preference for 
membership fees as the primary funding source, the questions as 
designed did not reveal a clear preference in regard to supplemental 
methods like the Non-Member Surcharge or other alternatives. The total 
of "primary funding methods" chosen exceeded 100%, so there was clear 
interest in multiple revenue streams.

There was considerable support for offering publications independently 
of membership, but the question of pricing was not raised. Currently, 
publications are priced as add-ons to membership, and their price 
includes no allocation for processing the order or maintaining the 
database. The actual pricing decided on would presumably have 
considerable impact on the desirability of this option in practice.

3) BOD Request for Top Three "Future-of-the-SCA-and-the-corporation" 
type topics for August 1st/2005

The Board is planning to spend some time in the fairly near future on 
long-range planning, "future-of-the-SCA-and-the-corporation" type 
topics.  To that end input from the Grand Council (and from Kingdom 
Seneschals and Crowns, and Society officers) is being asked.  The BOD 
requests the GC to discuss and decide on 3 topics that the GC think are 
most important for long-range planning for the organization.  The BOD 
requests a limited-scope report that includes only this topic by August
1, 2005.

Much discussion has ensued and continues. A limited report will be 
submitted by deadline.

B. COMMITTEE STATUS AND COMMENDATIONS

Selection of the last of the Grand Council officers occurred. Master 
James Llewellyn ap Gruffydd resigned after diligent service as Council 
Secretary on May 7/05 and
THL Aleksandr Vasilevych Lev of Volynia, Northshield, At-Large Council 
Member was elected unopposed. Below is the current list of Committee 
Officers.

Chair: Haraldr Bassi/Dave Calafrancesco
Deputy Chair:   Hrolf Herjolfssen/Cary Lenehan
Clerk: Katriona ni Chonarain/Katherine Kretchmar
NomCom Chair:  Brendan ap Llewelyn/James Sena
NomCom Committee members: Cedric MacRory/Ronald A. King, James
Llewellyn ap Gruffydd/Tom Pilcher, Katriona ni Chonarain/Katherine
Kretchmar, Wulfred Hansard of Richmond/W. Richmond Beevers and Haraldr 
Bassi/Dave Calafrancesco.
Web Updater: Jean Louis de Chambertin/John L. Vifian.
Council Secretary: Aleksandr Vasilevych Lev of Volynia/John Patrick 
Kowal

The Nomination Committee had been directed to select several names from 
the last nomination procedure that were still willing to serve to help 
bring the number of councillors back up to a working level in the short 
term. The nomination process for replacements for outgoing councillors 
continues with a call for volunteers willing to serve. Letters have 
been posted as SCA Announcements and forwarded to many Kingdom email 
lists and shortly the Nomination Committee will be reporting on the
many applications they have received and adding more members to the 
Counsel.

Commendations to those Council Members leaving for great service and 
welcome to those newly coming on board.

There were several resignations an additions to the Council. A current 
roster and list of changes is appended below


C. PUBLISHABLE SUMMARY

At the Board's request, the GC commented on the results of the most 
recent member/non-member survey. As requested, it is now discussing a 
list of top three topics for future strategic planning, It has Elected 
new officers, accepted volunteers to fill vacancies created by 
resignation, and continues to seek volunteers to bring the Council to
working strength.

D. REQUEST FOR THE BOARD

None.

Respectfully submitted,

John Patrick Kowal,
Secretary
SCA: Aleksandr Vasilevych Lev of Volynia
#28604 28 FEB 2007
Barony of Castel Rouge,
Northshield

Appendix A
2) Survey Analysis Request from BOD:
The Board concluded a survey on a variety of  membership related and 
demographic issues. The GC was asked to study the SCA Survey and 
Results and make recommendations/observations. A request for the raw 
data was made to the GC Ombudsman for greater understanding of the 
results. The data available was graphed and studied. Below are some 
observations by its various members the graphs follow at the end of the 
report as addendum.

a)  More guidance on what specifically the BOD wanted from the GC in 
studying the Poll. Perhaps input regarding their interpretation of the 
results should be added to future requests. Also instruction on what 
the intent of the Poll/Questions was would be helpful for better 
interpretational purposes.

b) The total respondents were just short of 7500 of which 6372 are 
shown as having completed the member version of the poll. This works 
out to about 21.5% of the Dec 2003 SCA Inc. membership (doesn't include 
SCAA or other membership types, but the poll results are counted --so 
this is a slight overstatement) The Kingdoms ranged from 14.48% to 
28.32% response levels:
Aethelmearc 23.89%
An Tir  19.28%
Ansteorra  28.32%
Artemesia  15.56%
Atlantia  21.15%
Atenveldt  19.62%
Caid  15.33%
Calontir  24.01%
Drachenwald 21.25%
Ealdormere 22.37%
East  25.46%
Lochac  ignored (450%)
Meridies  20.69%
Middle  21.25%
Outlands  14.48%
Trimaris  19.83%
West  19.85%
The raw numbers suggest that the low number of respondents detracts 
from fully understanding the Memberships desires. While the numbers may 
be greater than needed for statistical representation, the fact that 
the respondants were self selecting probably had some effect on the 
results as compared to a random selection.  Our guess is that there was 
some slight polarization as those who felt strongly one direction or 
another would likely have been more likely to respond.  How significant
that might be is anyone's guess. Additionally, the fact that the poll 
was largely limited to those with regular internet access, also 
probably had some effect, as there seems to be some correspondence with 
income levels and some of the answers.  Again the degree to which this 
applies is unknowable. To create a random selection for future internet 
and mail polls might be the recommended course of action.
Two suggestions:
i) For the SCA to conduct such a Poll an addition to the membership 
form is suggested. Adding a checkbox on the membership form that says: 
"Occasionally the SCA Inc needs to contact its members regarding policy 
proposals, and to gain knowledge of our organization. Do you consent to 
be contacted in this regard?" or some similar wording. It is suspected 
that there would be a high degree of acceptance of this, and it could 
be used for a more accurate polling where desired. It was noted that
this systemic change would also has a built in error factor.
ii) Where as a truly random polling system would have a less so effect 
if it included members and non-members based on lists generated by
local group seneschals. Both systems if implemented should have a Poll 
opt out option.

c) Better design of the questions to further reduce survey bias and to 
try and eliminate of conflicting responses.  The questionnaire perhaps 
should not have allowed for "members" to check the non-member column 
and vice-versa.  Some questions answered in the affirmative were 
contradictory to others also answered in the affirmative.
Also some questions perhaps needed better explaination. It was noted 
that some questions were perceived as obviously biased (though there 
may be conflicting opinion as to which direction). ie One question 
might have better been phrased; "rate the following funding options in 
order of preference." Or maybe; "if the current funding model were 
replaced, which option would you prefer."  Additionally, an option for 
keeping the current model in place and supplementing it with other 
options may have been a preference but was not possible as an answer. 
Of those that chose to answer, the status quo was prefered in most 
cases.

d) It may be suggested that the poll showed that the SCA's participants 
can be pretty responsive if queried in the right medium, and that for a 
first attempt, the Poll did not too bad a job.  It might be suggested 
that with regard to funding models that we can say that the SCA's 
participants have not been given sufficient reasons to desire
significant changes.  On the demographic issues -- it might be 
suggested that we need to rework the questions so that we can correlate 
the responses to some exisiting data.

Note: At this point the graphs (which I haven't added to this email as 
the file would be huge) will follow as separate emails (parts 2 thru 
17). It includes all the graphs that are listed below.-AVL
The following reports are grouped by Kingdom
2)The SCAs corporate operations should be financed primarily by
3)Eligibility for all SCA activities should be based solely on a 
person's attendance at local group meetings and SCA events
4)Local branches should be responsible for tracking attendance for the 
purpose of maintaining membership records, based on participation
5)Membership should not be required for any form of SCA participation
6)Membership should be required to attend any event
7)Membership should be required to participate in martial combat 
activities
8)Membership should be required to participate in target archery
9)Membership should be required to participate in Arts and Science 
competitions
10)Membership should not be required for any form of SCA participation
11)Membership should be required to receive awards
12)Membership should be required to participate in pollings regarding 
group status changes, appointment of Territorial Barons and Baronesses, 
etc.
13)The SCA's corporate office should continue to manage subscriptions 
and to provide funding for the production and distribution of kingdom 
newsletters
14)Kingdoms should be solely responsible for managing subscriptions and 
funding the production and distribution of their newsletters
15)Subscriptions to kingdom newsletters should be available to members 
and non-members alike
16)Subscriptions to Tournaments Illuminated and The Compleat 
Anachronist should be available to members and non-members alike
17)My current annual household income is

Apendix B: GC Roster, Changes and Vacant Positions

June 2005

Kingdom and physical locations are given for information only. Grand 
Council members may have moved Kingdoms recently; some were appointed 
by the Board, and so forth. Representatives appointed by their Crowns 
are designated as Kingdom.

Start dates before 2004, when provided by the Councilor, are plain. 
Some are estimated dates found by combing the archives.

Current List of Council Members/Additions/Changes due to 
Resignation/End of Term Limitations.
SCA Name, Modern Name, Location, Appointed by, Office, Start Date

1 )Aleksandr Vasilevych Lev, John Patrick Kowal, Northshield USA/CAN, 
NomCom, Secretary, 2004/07
2 )Armand Dragonetti, Alan Rich, Ansteorra  USA, Kingdom, 2002/05
3 )AshaHito, Nicholas Malone, Atlantia  USA, NomCom, 2005/05
4 )Bertrik van Triecht, Bart Orbons, Drachenwald EUR/AFRICA/ME, 
Kingdom, Moderator, 1994/03
5) Brendan ap Llewelyn, James Sena, An Tir  USA/CAN, NomCom, NC Chair, 
2004/05
6)Cairistiona inghean Raghnaill, Joy Walker, Lochac  AUS/NZL, Kingdom, 
2004/10
7)Conrad von Zuberbuhler, Chuck Heisler, Jr., Artemisia  USA, Kingdom,  
2005/03
8)Cts. Kat MacLochlainn, Lori Campbell, Ansteorra  USA, NomCom, 2005/05
9 )Dietrich von Vogelsang, Todd French, CAID  USA, Kingdom, 2002/02 est
10)Eilis O'Boirne, Lee Forgue, West  USA/JPN/KOR, Kingdom, 2002/07 est
11)Elias Gedney, Jeff Gedney, East  USA/CAN, NomCom, 2005/05
12)Ellen de Wynter, Ellen Cutter, Northshield USA/CAN, NomCom, 2005/05
13)Fiskr Hammondson, Jon Larsen, Northshield USA/CAN, NomCom, 2004/07
14 )Flanna Dunwalton. Suzy M. Miller, West  USA/JPN/KOR, NomCom,  
2005/05
15 )Frederick of Holland, Flieg Hollander, West  USA/JPN/KOR, NomCom, 
1995/04 est
16) Haraldr Bassi, Dave Calafrancesco, East  USA/CAN, NomCom, Chair, 
1999/07
17)Hrolf Herjolfssen, Cary Lenehan, Lochac  AUS/NZL, NomCom, Vice 
Chair, 1997/01
18)James Llewellyn ap Gruffydd, Tom Pilcher, An Tir  USA/CAN, NomCom, 
NomCom, 2004/04
19) Jean Louis de Chambertin, John L. Vifian, An Tir  USA/CAN, NomCom, 
Archivist/Web, 1997/06 est
20)Katharina von der Waldweise, Sarah Reeseman, Middle  USA, Kingdom, 
2005/04
21)Katriona ni Chonarain, Katherine Kretchmar, Northshield USA/CAN, 
Kingdom, Clerk/NomCom, 2003/06
22)Kwellend-Njal Kollskeggsson, David W. James, Atlantia  USA, NomCom, 
List Admin, 1997/06 est
23)Madinia Devereaux O'Tuatail, Marsha McLean, Ealdormere  CAN, 
Kingdom, 2004/05
24) Margherita Alessia "Ghita" , Susan Earley, Middle  USA, NomCom, 
1999/07
25 )Michael die Zauberzunge von Essen, Michael R. Murphy, Drachenwald 
EUR/AFRICA/ME, NomCom, 2000/09
26)Morgan Buchanan, Michael Smith, Ansteorra  USA, NomCom, 2005/06
27)Nichelle Whitewolfe, Nichelle Perine, Atenveldt  USA, Kingdom, 
2004/11
28)Nikolaos Demetriou ho Toxotes, Dan Brandow, Outlands  USA, NomCom,
2004/03
29)Rayne Moyra O'Ciaragain, Raine Phillips, Meridies  USA, NomCom,
2004/05
30)Roger of Belden Abbey, Daniel Thompson, An Tir  USA/CAN, Kingdom,
  2004/11
31)T'ressa Margarite, Luckie Hotaling, Middle  USA, NomCom, 2005/05
32)Timothy O'Brian, Timithy Buxton, Outlands  USA, Kingdom, 2005/05
33)TSivia bas Tamara v'Amberview, Shelley TSivia Rabinovitch, 
Ealdormere  CAN, NomCom, 2003/03 est
34)Wulfred Hansard of Richmond, W. Richmond Beevers, Atlantia  USA,
NomCom, NomCom, 2002/07 est

Additions:
AshaHito Atlantia
Cts. Kat MacLochlainn, Ansteorra
Flanna Dunwalton, West
T'ressa Margarite, Middle
Elias Gedney, East
Ellen de Wynter, Northshield
Madinia Devereaux O'Tuatail, Ealdormere
Morgan Buchanan, Ansteorra
Timothy O'Brian, Outlands

Changes due to Resignation/End of Term Limitations:
Juan Balthazar Tegero, Outlands
Solveig Throndardottir
Sovany Barcsi Janos, Drachenwald
Tiernan Shepherd, East Kingdom

Additonal Volunteers
1)Cedric MacRory, Ronald A. King, West  USA/JPN/KOR, Volunteer, NomCom,
  2005/04

1)Vacant Positions
Kingdom, Position
2)Atlantia  USA
Kingdom Appointee
3)Calontir  USA
Kingdom Appointee
4)East  USA/CAN
Kingdom Appointee
5)Meridies  USA
Kingdom Appointee
6)Trimaris  USA
Kingdom Appointee
7)Æthelmearc  USA
Kingdom Appointee

associated graphs can be found at:
http://grandcouncil.sca.org/scapoll/index.html